CV-Paymaster's Clerk William E. Cox posing in the Fossati & Co. studio in Spezia, Italy. Cox is wearing his uniform and leaning on his sword. Reverse side reads "Cox-/Paymaster's Clerk,/USS Constellation/1865."

The front side of the card features an 2 1/4" x 3 5/8" print of Cox posing in a photographer's studio wearing his frock coat. Cox is standing with his right foot forward while resting his right fore-arm on the corner of an ornate pedestal. His navy hat rests on the center of the pedestal top. Underneath the print, aligned with the left edge is printed "Hodcend & Degoiix Phot" On the reverse side, centered is the studio logo consisting of a cross on a shield centered on a wreath that is topped by a crown. Underneath is printed: HODCEND & DEGOIX/ PHOTOGRAPHES/ BREVETES/ de S.M. le Roi d' ITALIE/ Rue Ste Catherine 9/GENES" Covering 1" of the top portion of the card is handwritten in ink "with compliments/of William E. Cox/ U.S. Navy"